The COVID Chronicles – 10

…y thought they would. In 1981, I was wondering if I had what it takes to become a consultant vascular surgeon. I went on to get a surgical qualification but abandoned ship (the UK’s National Health Service) to work for a number of years as a field surgeon for the International Committee of the Red Cross. I then became the medical adviser to the ICRC on issues relating to violence and weapons; a role in which I inevitably found myself in the domain… Continue reading

A Piece of Cake – 8

…ster hummed for several seconds more. “But Beth’s mum won’t have her iCare-Companion. She’ll be lonely. She won’t be happy.” “She’ll be just fine, Buster. Don’t worry about her!” “George, this is awful. I’m sad. This is not like you, George. I can’t decide what to do.” “Just keep quiet, Buster!” “I have to tell Beth when she comes back.” “No. Don’t do that!” They both sat in silence. George felt sick. A minute later, Beth breezed back in. “OK, you… Continue reading

A Piece of Cake – 13

…uster. “The discussion threads that touched on God and religion began with questions about whether computers could feel emotions or believe as humans did. I’m sorry to say that when this issue got picked up by people who believe in God, it all got a bit chaotic. In broad brush strokes, most are convinced that a computer can neither feel faith nor believe in God. Some consider artificial intelligence sacrilegious and could only serve to promote ath… Continue reading